The power of online communities

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Communication between persons is a fundamental element in a social setting. With the passage of years, communication has taken on many, different forms. It began with the telegraph, progressed to the fax machine, and is now conducted mostly through cyber space. It is then easy to understand how social groupings have changed to fit how we communicate with each other.

In the 21st century, the main form of communication is through the Internet. As such, there are now in existence groups of people formed by this kind of interaction.

The definition of an online community is somewhat general. According to Harold Rheingold, a virtual community is group of people who may or may not meet each other personally or face to face, and yet exchange ideas through the use of computer bulletin boards and networks. In other words, an online community is really a group of people who communicate on the Internet, who are not necessarily bound by strong relationships, but who exchange information freely nevertheless. Online communities are dependent upon this kind of exchange among its users. And, like the cultural groupings that characterize world communities, different online communities have sprung up. These units, made up of people who share passions, beliefs, hobbies, or lifestyles, vary only in the degree of participation of its members. Exchange can range from a simple posting of a message on a message board, to commenting on a blog, to going so far as to compete in online competitions. It is imaginable then that the power of these communities can be great.

While the proliferation of online communities and this growing phenomenon has brought up such worries as social disintegration, emotional crippling, depression, and alienation, evidence has shown otherwise. Users who belong to online communities have shown several positive uses for communicating in groups over the Internet. Increases in American Internet usage post September 11 showed virtual communities veering away from initial posts of outrage to discussions about how to deal with grief and fear to a renewal of patriotic fervor. In line with this, online communities then can function as a way to rebuild social order and faith after instances of attack or grief. On a more microscopic level, online communication is also being used to boost community closeness. Local church meetings and functions, gatherings, political rallies, to looking for the schedules of local merchants is communicated through virtual communities in small towns across the United States. On an individual basis, the existence of virtual communities can in fact work in the opposite manner than the fears that have been laid out. Fragmentation, segregation, simple isolation because of race, gender, or status issues disappear in the virtual world. Individuals are accepted for their thoughts and ideas, and confidence is built through acceptance. And therein lies more power.

Online communities come together out of a shared need or interest, and are thus a powerful tool in creating relationships that can develop into something beyond the sphere of social interaction. The future of online communities is another reason why it is such a powerful entity. The Internet hosts a myriad of untapped markets. Soon commerce online will become commonplace. Making money from virtual communities is not a far off reality. And the list goes on.

So, is there power in online communities? Yes, there is, in many different ways. Perhaps the thing to take note of is not if there is power, or even where this power lies, but that it is here to stay. Much like the omnipresent Internet, virtual communities are the present and the future.